Those familiar with the out-of-doors in the eastern and central United States know the native witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), the last shrub to bloom in the fall.
But they may be entirely unfamiliar with another excellent native witch-hazel—the first shrub of the year to bloom—the vernal witch-hazel (Hamamelis vernalis).
Native in the Lower Mississippi Valley, this plant is almost as hardy as its better-known relative and can be grown over a wide area in the East and Midwest.
Vigorous Vernal Witch-hazel
The vernal witch-hazel is a vigorous shrub that often grows to 10’ feet with very dense foliage.
It grows in a vast, vase-shaped habit, making it a candidate for specimen planting and massing.
Blooming And Closing Habits
The small flowers have very narrow, ribbon-like petals that appear early in the spring or late in the winter.
Fully open, they may measure ½” inch in diameter, but they have an interesting habit of expanding fully in warm sunshine and rolling up their petals tightly on cold days.
This habit, of course, ensures the flowers lasting a longer time than might otherwise be expected at this cold time of year.
The flowers are extremely fragrant, and their opening and closing habits add to their charm by turning on and off their pleasing fragrance.
The flowers are red to yellow, but when grown from seed, there are plants with flowers all one color.
Autumn Foliage Of Vernal Witch-hazels
Like most witch-hazels, the autumn color of the foliage is a bright yellow, regardless of whether the plant is growing in the sun or the shade.
Of course, it makes a denser plant in the full sun but will do very well in partial shade.
Vernal Witch-hazels Propagation
Vernal Witch-hazel is propagated by cuttings and seeds.
One should be careful to collect the seeds in the early fall before the capsules open, for when they do, they open with explosive force and actually throw the seeds some distance, making it impossible to find them.